Experts see constitutional crises as PM facing ‘charge-sheet’

TrendPK.com

ISLAMABAD: As Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani faces jail and lose of his office, if convicted, law experts are of the view that the government is on the course of constitutional crises and clash with state institutions, TrendPK reports.

Renewing political tension in the country, Supreme Court on Thursday prepared to charge PM Gilani with contempt of court for his failure to re-open corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.

PM’s lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan says “We still reserve a right to appeal against the decision and I have suggested it to my client”.

Speaking to newsmen after a seven-member SC bench, headed by Justice Nasirul Mulk, heard the case, he said Gilani can stay on his office despite the conviction. Law experts, however, say a contemnor can’t hold any public office at least for five years.

“I’m worried about the growing gulf and tension between state institutions. The court should not only take to task civilian leadership… A third party can take advantage of this situation,” he replied when asked about possibilities of yet another military takeover.

“Those generals who detained judges should also be served contempt of court notices,” he appealed the apex court.

 President Supreme Court Bar Association Yasin Azad says the situation is moving towards a constitutional crisis “therefore all the institutions should keep in view the future of this country at every step.
 
PPP MNA Nazar Gondal says their leadership respects judiciary, “but we will use our legal right to appeal against the decisions.”

Prominent lawyer, Ahemd Raza Qasuri says “the government is at the point of no return, facing unprecedented situation.”

Deputy speaker Sindh Assembly Shehla Raza said “thought all this did not go well today but Peoples Party has always surrendered before judicial verdicts.”  TrendPK

No contempt by not writing a letter: Aitezaz

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ISLAMABAD: Former Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Aitezaz Ahsan Monday reiterated his previous stance that the President of the state has complete immunity from the criminal cases.

Talking to media, he said President Asif Ali Zardari enjoys complete immunity in the criminal cases until he retires from the presidency, adding exemption does not pertain to an individual, instead, the office.

The former SCBA President said everybody is constitutionally and legally entitled to take a lawyer of his choice.

“I respect Justice (rtd.) Khalilur Rehman Ramday; but, he should not have given interview,’ he said replying to a question.

Aitezaz furthermore stressed he can say a lot about Justice Ramday; but, he does not want to do so, adding Justice Ramday should not embark on the pathway of politics, as even two years have not passed ever since he retired from his office.

Reacting to a question regarding Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani standpoint before seven-member Supreme Court bench hearing the NRO Implementation case, Aitezaz said no question of contempt of court arises by not writing a letter. TrendPK

Salman to resume shooting of Ek Tha Tiger from September 10

Yash Raj Films and director Kabir Khan can breathe a sigh of relief. Salman Khan is all set to fly to Dublin to resume shooting on September 10 for Yash Raj Films-Kabir Khan’s Ek Tha Tiger. The crew, including Katrina Kaif (who, as reported, has set aside all other projects), has been keeping itself on hold monitoring Salman’s post-surgery recuperation. Now they can heave a sigh of relief, as Salman is well on the way to recovery.

Says a source close to the actor, “After the seven-hour surgery the doctors had prescribed a strict regime for Salman to follow. But he has defied the rules, as usual. He’s filled with mauj-masti in the US. He’s very happy. Salman has been calling up his brother-in-law Atul Agnihotri for the box-office figures of Bodyguard. Though the doctors have predicted the possibility of a second surgery three months from now, Salman has healed with amazing dexterity leaving even his surgeons flummoxed.”

Atul Agnihotri confirms Salman’s heartening recovery. “Salman has a Trigeminal Neuralgia with an AV Malformation. He also has another rare complication. He has been treated in the US. The procedure took seven hours and it is successful.”

About Salman not paying attention to doctors’ orders Atul says, “He is en route to recovery defying post-operation instructions. That’s Salman for you.”

About further treatment, Atul says, “Salman has to get a check-up done in three months to decide if he needs to get a second procedure done. He should commence shooting for Yash Raj soon in Dublin.”

Sources at Yash Raj confirm that the shooting resumes on September 10 which incidentally is the date when Salman’s Dabangg had released.

5.7 magnitude earthquake hits different areas of Sindh, Balochistan

A 5.7 magnitude earthquake hit different areas of Balochistan and Sindh including Karachi at 6:15 am. People left their houses by reciting Kalma Taiyeba.

According to Met Office, the epicenter of the earthquake was located near Kharaan area of Balochistan which was recorded 5.7 on the Richter scale.

The earthquake jolts were also recorded in Qalat, Khuzdar, Shahdadkot and the surrounding areas.

Heavy rains spark flood warning

According to the Met Office, recent spell of rains will continue for the next 24 hours.

Heavy rain in Rawalpindi caused Nala Lai to swell. Warning of middle and high level flood in Nala Dek, Aik, Bhaid, Basntar, Palkho and Hisri has also been issued.

Jim Carrey Joins Cast of The Office

Jim Carrey is the latest in a string of stars to join the cast of The Office for the hour long season finale on May 19. As reported by Entertainment Weekly, Carrey will guest star as someone interviewing for the position left vacant by Michael Scott (Steve Carell). He joins Ricky Gervais, Will Arnet, James Spader, Ray Romano and Catherine Tate who will also be interviewed for Michael Scott’s position.

Regardless of who the replacement will be, John Krasinski, who stars in The Office, told HitFlix that Steve Carrell’s departure actually creates a brand new show;

“The show sans-Steve it’s a whole new show so we’re actually really excited. The last two episodes this year are without Steve and without Will and they were awesome. They were really, really fun and as much as we will miss Steve for sure it’s kind of great to pick up this show in a whole different way. It’s really fun.”

It was previously reported that Will Ferrell will take over the big role, but he will no longer appear in the season finale.

Obama budget meeting ends after about 1-1/2 hours

WASHINGTON: An emergency White House meeting convened late on Wednesday by President Barack Obama to avoid a damaging shutdown of the U.S. government ended after about 1-1/2 hours, a White House official said.

Thirty UN rescue teams on standby

GENEVA: Thirty international search and rescue teams stand ready to go to Japan to provide assistance following a major earthquake, the United Nations said on Friday.

“We stand ready to assist as usual in such cases,” Elisabeth Byrs of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance (OCHA) told Reuters in Geneva. “Thirty international search and rescue teams are on alert and monitoring the situation and stand ready to assist if necessary.”

UN disaster assessment and coordination teams, who deploy in emergencies worldwide to try to locate and treat survivors, normally include sniffer dogs and medical teams.

The biggest earthquake to hit Japan in 140 years struck the northeast coast on Friday, triggering a 10-metre tsunami that swept away everything in its path, including houses, cars and farm buildings on fire. (Reuters)

2011 SAG Award Winners

Last night the 17th annual SAG awards were held in Hollywood. ‘The King’s Speech’ was named top film and Colin Firth was honored for his role in the film. The King’s Speech also took the award for outstanding cast in a motion picture, the cast includes Geoffry Rush and Helena Bonham Carter.

Natalie Portman was given the award for the most outstanding performance by a female actor for her role ‘Black Swan’.

The top awards in Television were given to Steve Buscemi for his role in ‘Boardwalk Empire’ and the show also came out on top by taking the award for outstanding performance by an ensemble in a drama series.

‘The Fighter’ also took home two awards.

Overall it was a fairly regular ceremony with not too many surprises. Now speculation is whether the 2011 Oscars awards will be as predictable and has ‘The Social Network’ been knocked out of the Oscars race?

Complete list of winners after the jump!

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A CAST IN A MOTION PICTURE
“Black Swan”
“The Fighter”
“The Kids Are Alright”
“The King’s Speech” – WINNER
“The Social Network”

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Jesse Eisenberg, “The Social Network”
Colin Firth, “The King’s Speech” – WINNER
James Franco, “127 Hours”
Jeff Bridges, “True Grit”
Robert Duvall, “Get Low”

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Annette Benning, “The Kids Are Alright”
Nicole Kidman, “The Rabbit Hole”
Jennifer Lawrence, “Winter’s Bone”
Natalie Portman, “Black Swan” – WINNER
Hilary Swank, “Conviction”

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Christian Bale, “The Fighter” – WINNER
Mark Ruffalo, “The Kids Are Alright”
John Hawkes, “Winter’s Bone”
Jeremy Renner, “The Town”
Geoffrey Rush, “The King’s Speech”

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Amy Adams, “The Fighter”
Helena Bonham Carter, “The King’s Speech”
Mila Kunis, “Black Swan”
Melissa Leo, “The Fighter” – WINNER
Hailee Steinfeld, “True Grit”

TELEVISION

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ENSEMBLE IN A DRAMA SERIES
“Boardwalk Empire” – WINNER
“Dexter”
“The Good Wife”
“Mad Men”
“The Closer”

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ENSEMBLE IN A COMEDY SERIES
“30 Rock”
“The Office”
“Glee”
“Modern Family” – WINNER
“Hot in Cleveland”

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Steve Buscemi, “Boardwalk Empire” – WINNER
Bryan Cranston, “Breaking Bad”
Michael C. Hall, “Dexter”
Jon Hamm, “Mad Men”
Hugh Laurie, “House”

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Julianna Margulies, “The Good Wife” – WINNER
Elisabeth Moss, “Mad Men”
Glenn Close, “Damages”
Mariska Hargitay, “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”
Kyra Sedgwick, “The Closer”

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Alec Baldwin, “30 Rock” – WINNER
Steve Carell, “The Office”
Chris Colfer, “Glee”
Ty Burrell, “Modern Family”
Ed O’Neill, “Modern Family”

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Betty White, “Hot in Cleveland” – WINNER
Sofia Vergara, “Modern Family”
Tina Fey, “30 Rock”
Edie Falco “Nurse Jackie”
Jane Lynch, “Glee”

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A TELEVISION MOVIE OR MINISERIES
John Goodman, “You Don’t Know Jack”
Al Pacino, “You Don’t Know Jack” – WINNER
Dennis Quaid, “The Special Relationship”
Edgar Ramirez, “Carlos”
Patrick Stewart, “MacBeth”

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A TELEVISION MOVIE OR MINISERIES
Claire Danes, “Temple Grandin” – WINNER
Catherine O’Hara, “Temple Grandin”
Julia Ormond, “Temple Grandin”
Winona Ryder, “When Love Is Not Enough”
Susan Sarandon, “You Don’t Know Jack”

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A STUNT ENSEMBLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
“Green Zone”
“Inception” – WINNER
“Robin Hood”

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A STUNT ENSEMBLE IN A TELEVISION SERIES
“Burn Notice”
“CSI: NY”
“Dexter”
“Southland”
“True Blood” – WINNER

Will Ferrell Joins ‘The Office’ Cast

Will Ferrell has committed to a guest spot on The Office. The NBC made the announcement on Wednesday and it’s generally believed that the move is to help smooth the departure of Carrell, who had announced a few months back that this would be his last season. Steve Carrell has starred in ‘The Office’ for seven seasons, but now Carrell wants to focus on his movie career. Don’t hold your breath though, unfortunately Will Ferrell won’t be Carrels replacement.

Not too much has been revealed about Ferrell’s character although it has been widely reported that he will be playing a branch manager who comes from the home office and who is just as inept and inappropriate as Michael Scott (Carrell).

“We found Steve Carell when he was nothing but a movie star, and we turned him into a television star,” said the show’s executive producer Paul Lieberstein. “We are proud to continue The Office’s tradition of discovering famous talent, and we hope that once America gets a good look at Will, they’ll see what we see: tremendous raw sexuality.”

It is also being said that Ferrell contacted NBC producers himself to offer his skills to help with Carrells farewell from ‘The Office’. Carrell and Farrell have worked together before on the movie ‘Anchorman’. It should be lots of fun to see them work together again. Now the next question is how will they actually write Carrell’s character from the show and how will Ferrell’s character play into his likely demise.

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